Cheryl Marchant

Cheryl Ann Thomas Marchant, age 63, of Cleveland, died on Saturday May 19, 2012 at St. Dominic's Hospital in Jackson.Visitation will be held Tuesday May 22, 2012 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the First Baptist Church fellowship hall in Cleveland. Memorial services will follow at 6:00 PM in the First Baptist Church sanctuary.Dr. Park Neff will officiate the service.Cheryl was born on October 13, 1948 to Sam and Victoria (Ellis) Thomas in Leland, MS.  She graduated from Leland Public Schools, Delta State University for a degree in elementary education and advanced degrees, University of Mississippi for kindergarten certification, and East Texas University for her masters of education. Cheryl married Bill Marchant on June 15, 1969 at Leland Methodist Church.  She was a teacher at heart. She gave 34 years of her life to educating children. Cheryl once said that her greatest joy in life was teaching 4K at Hays Cooper.  Cheryl also taught in the Meridian Public Schools, Texarkana and Lufkin Public Schools in Texas and the Cleveland School District. She was also an entrepreneur; she enjoyed taking care of her properties,. She was a homemaker at heart; as she labored daily taking care of her husband Bill. Cheryl was also an active community leader. She had many activities in the community; Cleveland Exchange Club board member, active in the Relay for Life event, bridge player, bunko player, Supper Club Member, Fellowship of Christian Athletes board member, Active in the Baptist Student Union, and Kappa Delta Sorority member. She was also the recipient of the Baptist Women's Annual Perseverance Award in 2010. Cheryl also had many hobbies; spending time at Catfish Point Hunting Club, snow skiing, many outdoor adventures, and attending ballgames. Cheryl was a loving person who never met a stranger, she loved spending time with her family & friends, and organizing get togethers, especially her Super Bowl parties that she and her friends hosted. She touched many lives of new comers to Cleveland by making time to make them feel welcome in their new town.  She especially enjoyed her times with her grandchildren and a great aunt to her numerous nieces and nephews.. She always made time to listen to the people who needed her love and a friend. Cheryl's brother said she was one of the wealthiest people in the world if you count her portfolio of friends. Her aunt Mary Elenor had once said that Cheryl had been a one of a kind lady that only comes around once in a lifetime. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Shirley Thomas Haney Hootsell and brother Sam Ellis Thomas.  She is survived by Spouse, Bill Marchant of Cleveland, MS., Daughter, Stacy Marchant Myers of Brentwood, TN.,  Son, Brett Marchant of Cleveland, MS.,  Brothers, Robert Thomas of Leland, MS., "T" Thomas of Leland, MS., David Thomas of Leland, MS.  Four Grandchildren:  William Burgess Myers of Brentwood, TN,  Anna Catherine Myers of Brentwood, TN, Morgan Alyce Marchant of Cleveland, MS and Macy Douglas Marchant of Cleveland, MS.Honorary pall-bearers are Sam Thomas, Jr., Kenny Thomas, Michael Thomas, Michael Haney, Sid Haney, Rob Thomas, Jr., Charles Thomas, Jimmy Thomas, Richard Thomas and Ty Lowery.In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be made to the Relay for Life 13 Bethany Church Rd. Merigold, MS 38759.Cleveland Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.